Weight Watchers Simple Start Program

by DanicasDaily on December 8, 2013

Happy Sunday all! This morning I couldn’t wait to head out to my Weight Watchers meeting and get my hands on the new 2014 Weight Watcher program materials. I have been anxiously awaiting this years update because I knew it involved a spin on Simply Filling with the new Weight Watchers Simple Start Program. There are so many cool things about Simple Start including a new Weight Watchers Simple Start Mobile App that actually works great (dare I say better than the original app). It’s OK ~ I am a technology/Weight Watchers “Geek” and can totally admit it lol!

Before I jump into sharing my thoughts, I want to say, nothing is changing about the Weight Watchers Program in 2014.

It’s still the same program whether you are counting points+ or following the Simply Filing Technique….they’ve just added to their tool kit to help you become more successful at creating a healthy lifestyle!

Simple Start is very similar to the old Kick Start Program that Weight Watchers offered several years ago when they had the Momentum Program….you may remember my posts about it back in 2009 when I decided to Kick Start things for a week. The Kick Start Program was a one week pre-planned menu tailored towards those counting points, while Simple Start is a two week plan geared toward those who want to venture out, learn more and try the Simply Filling Technique.

There are three ways to learn about the Simple Start Program ~ Attend a meeting and get this fancy 40 page handout, download the Free Mobile App (described below) or head on over to the Weight Watcher’s Website and learn about it online.

The program is actually pretty “Simple” Yep, you know I had to say that, right?!

Basically there are 3 steps to follow:

1.Choose from their pre-planned meals: breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks or build your own using the Build a Meal Sections (picture building a sandwich from the bread up). This includes adding in 2 tsp. of healthy oils each day along with the recommended 64+ oz. of water, coffee, tea, and sugar free drinks.

Snacks are included if you feel hungry between meals ~ the “key” to gauging your hunger is to listen to your body and ask if you are truly hungry or want to eat something because you can.

2. Make sure you “indulge” a little each day picking from their indulgences list using 7 WPA a day – think of this as your 49 WPA divided by 7 days.

For those inquiring minds, yep, you can totally have 3/4 oz. Chocolate + 4 oz. Wine for your 7 points+ indulgences every day!

3.Keep portions in check, NOT by measuring per se, but, by visualizing using the recommended 10 inch plate, 12 oz. bowl and 12 oz. glass to gauge portion size.

Aside from the recipes being included in the book, the two extras I love:

Every meal has a recommendation to swap it out to make it vegetarian, boost the flavor or if you want to venture out, how to order something comparable when dining out.

I also love the fact they give you a complete shopping list so you can stock your kitchen up and set you up for success….you just have to remember to get rid of the not so good foods in your kitchen when adding in the new power foods!

The premise of Simple Start is that you are choosing 100% Power Foods Only ~ they provide a list to help make is easy to identify what is included. Feel free to use this as a reference to help make Simple Start work for you by picking from the menu or mixing/matching menus or power foods based on how you eat.

Once you’ve completed the two week Simple Start program ~ you can choose to do it all over again, move onto Simply Filling and add in more foods, go back to counting points+ based on your daily target or do any combination of the above.

The key to success is finding out what works best for YOU as that is the program that you will be able to sustain and make it a lifestyle even when you reach goal.

Now I’ll be the first to admit when I heard they were coming out with a new app, I wasn’t sure how good it would be since my Weight Watcher’s Mobile app isn’t the best it could be.

For iPhone’s, you can find it in the app store by searching “Weight Watchers Simple Start App”.

For Android Phones, you need to remove the space for SimpleStart by searching the Google Play store for “Weight Watchers SimpleStart App”.

The app has pretty much everything the little handout has down to the How it Works and Food list so you can take it with you where ever you are.

It also has fun little thoughts that appear each time you open it along with little awards and such to cheer you on!

All of the preplanned meals include the recipes for making them….

Along with tips to swap out ingredients to mix things up, make it vegetarian or boost the flavor.

There is also a section to allow you to track as you go with the Build a meal section…Simply Click the meal, then, click the food you are eating, then save it. You are limited to adding only the foods Weight Watchers has identified with the Simple Start Program.

It’s a pretty awesome app with great pictures and I love how it’s interactive. I hope they continue to add meals, recipes and more to build it out throughout the year.

The last part of my Weight Watchers Update this year is what is new that you can purchase at the Weight Watchers meeting locations.

I’ve broken it down into two sections ~ what I bought and what I want to buy

Any guesses on what I bought??? If you guessed their new cookbook, you are 110% right. I’ve honestly never met a cookbook with pictures I haven’t wanted to buy LOL.

I love the tag line of Got 20 Minutes and the fact that you can pick and make any of these meals faster than you could go out to eat or get take out at a restaurant!

The book has a little bit of everything in it……along with some drool worthy pictures!

Plus a section that identifies all the recipes that work for Simple Start….aka Simply Filling!

You can easily cater any of the recipes to match Simply Filling by subbing ingredients or by counting the points+ towards your WPA for any ingredients that are not Simply Filling.

In this case, you would count the tortilla as everything else in this sesame steak taco is either 0 points+ or Simply Filling ~ Yum!

The other thing I love about this cookbook is their FYI’s on every page showing you how to make it a meal and/or bulk it up to make it more satisfying.

WHAT I WANT TO BUY

Ummm, the collapsible measuring cups you could only get in last years kit!

And the new Success Kit! I know, I haven’t bought one in a long time, but, this kit is so different than any kit Weight Watchers has ever offered.

I mean how cute are all these bags? I love them all and they are perfect for storing your weekly handouts if you are a pack rat and hold onto all of them like me!

What makes this kit different though is all the “good stuff” you get inside…it isn’t all about having just the Complete Food & Dining Out Companions or coupons/calculator.

You get an expanded Meal Planner with recipes to help you take Simple Start even further.

Plus this totally cool Find Your Fingerprint guide to help you find out what works best for you. I’d totally buy this kit for this book alone.

I first thought this was another salad bowl, but, it’s a microwave steamer….kinda cool. On the right, workout cards – pick one new exercise to try out each day (I love that!)

See what I mean….totally fun and I didn’t even list all the other stuff you get like the calculator, 3 month tracker and $45 in coupons for more cool things!

From now until 02/01/14 you can get the kits for $34.95 – deal!

The “Official” Weight Watchers Roll out for Simple Start is in January 2014 so I have no doubt you will be seeing more about the new program soon.

Seriously ~ Fun Stuff ~ It is one of my favorite times of the year because regardless of whether the program changes completely or gets refreshed ~ it always jazzes me up for another year to try something new and have fun with it ~ MOTIVATION!

QUESTION OF THE DAY:

Will you be taking the Two Week Simple Start Challenge? If you already have or started, what do you think of the program?

I haven’t tried it out yet, but, I plan on taking the two week challenge when we get back from Australia and after Christmas….anyone else want to join in January??

Thank you for creating this blog. Reading your materials helped me decide if this was a good investment for me. I think I will join the online community and have my own online diary to stay motivated. Great job and I pray you are successful. I have to lose over 100 lbs so I have a long way to go.

hI THERE. I HAVE BEEN DOING SIMPLE START SINCE MARCH. I LOST 16 POUNDS AND FELT LIKE I HAD MASTERED THE PLAN, THEN JUST THESE LAST TWO WEEKS I HAVE GAINED BACK 2LBS. I HAVE REVIEWED ALL OF THE FOODS I AM EATING, AND AM REALLY BUMMED. I AM DREDING MY NEXT WEIGH IN. ANY ADVICE ON WHAT MIGHT BE GOING ON?

I initially tried weight watchers because I wanted to quit smoking and knew I would gain weight in the process. I did WW + the Lady Soma Detox – the combination of both – and I lost 30 pounds and went from a size 16 to a size 10. I quit smoking. The WW + Lady Soma Detox is the easiest program to follow !!

Keep going. I am 59, and have been on the Simple Start for 3 weeks. I lost 7.5 lbs the first week and gained two the second. That was discouraging. Then this week I lost 2. That nets to 7.5 for 3 weeks. That’s a healthy rate of loss! It’s an adjustment. I think the first week was a lot of water weight. The second week I had several events and didn’t pay close attention. This week, I followed the make your own and kept the portions down to what fits on the plate with some space showing. It takes time to make changes and I think my body is adjusting.

I started simple start on January 5th, 2014 and have lost over 40lbs. I weighed 174 and am 5″3. I am now a size 4 and 131 lbs. I stayed on simple start and didn’t go back to counting points. It works!!!!

This really works if you don’t cheat and if you don’t overindulge. If you eat until you hurt…this won’t work. But if you eat until full, slow down your meals, and don’t eat 20 slices of low calorie bread per day…it works great. I’ve lost 25 pounds in 12 weeks with simple start.

Does anyone have any ideas how I would track a Smart Ones Meal on the Simple Plan? I ate a Fiberful Pasta which is wheat and has veggies… All powerfoods! There is a special soy based sauce in it however, that I’m sure I’d have to track. The box says 6 points. Any ideas if I’d track a portion towards an “indulgence”? Thank you!

Today is my first day. I have to say I’m excited. My husband and I both did the points plus system last year and lost 25 pounds each. He has gained all his back And I’ve gained 10. I’ve been a yo yo dieter all my life…. Shakes, fasting, calorie counting ….you name it! Weight watchers works the best… There are auick fix diets …but the weight doesn’t stay off! I’ll keep you all up to date on my progress! Wish me luck!

About Danica

Whether she’s enjoying a dish at a local restaurant or whipping up a crowd-pleasing, nutritious meal at home, Danica has a passion for all things food. She believes in and follows the Weight Watchers principle of “all things in moderation” and chronicles her culinary adventures here. Besides sharing her daily eats and tasty, nutritious recipes, Danica connects others seeking a healthier lifestyle on her other site Friends For Weight Loss.

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Danicasdaily.com is not meant to be a substitute for any professional advice, guidance, or counseling. Any information contained on this site reflect Danica's experience and is not intended to take the place of medical advice from a physician.
Weight Watchers® and PointsPlus® are registered trademarks of Weight Watchers International, Inc. The number of Points+ provided for food on this site was calculated by Danica based on published Weight Watchers information.
This site does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by Weight Watchers International, Inc. Danica does not guarantee the Points+ information is correct. I am not associated with Weight Watchers and they have not endorsed this site. I highly recommend joining WW and attending regular meetings as a way to successfully lose weight.